Electric map owner cited for alleged code violation

Scott Roland and Marc Charisse, the new director of the Hanover Heritage and Conference Center, work on April 21, 2016 to ready the map for its June opening.(Photo: Clare Becker - The Evening Sun)Buy Photo

The owner of the Battle of Gettysburg electric map received several citations for allegedly failing to obtain the proper approvals from Hanover Borough before opening the map to the public.

Borough officials cited Scott Roland, who owns the map and the building where it is displayed at 22 Carlisle St., on June 6 after he allegedly failed to obtain a certificate of occupancy, file for inspections and obtain proper permits, according to citations filed with District Judge Dwayne Dubs.

Although the building, known as the Hanover Heritage and Conference Center, holds several businesses, the citations relate specifically to the area containing the map, according to Hanover fire chief and zoning officer Jan Cromer.

Roland and Hanover Heritage and Conference Center Director Marc Charisse, who is a former editor of The Evening Sun, declined comment when reached by phone Friday.

Roland pleaded not guilty to the initial three citations Thursday, according to court documents. He received a fourth citation that same day for failing to comply with an order to cease operations.

As of Friday, he had not entered a plea on the most recent citation.

The citations stem from the fact that Roland did not file for a change of use from business to assembly for the part of the building that contains the map, Cromer said in an email.

A code enforcement officer sent Roland a certified letter May 24 informing him he needed to file for a change of use, Cromer said. The letter also made clear that failing to comply could result in officials filing a citation, Cromer said.

Roland opened the map to the public in early June, Cromer said, and a constable hand-delivered a letter to him June 3 telling him to cease operation until he received the proper approvals.

"He continued operations June 3, 4, 5, 9, 10 and 11," Cromer said in the email.

Posts on the map's Facebook page Thursday and Friday continued advertising shows at the building. The map is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, according to the map's website.

Roland could face a fine of up to $1,000 per day of violation as long as the map remains open, according to Cromer.

As of Friday afternoon, Roland had not contacted the borough about any of the letters, he said.

"It is not a question of the electric map, which is certainly of interest to the public," Cromer said. "It is a question of a business being open to public that has not obtained required inspections."

These requirements are in place to ensure the building is safe, sanitary and fit for use, according to Hanover Borough codes.

Roland purchased the 30-by-30-foot electric map depicting the Battle of Gettysburg at a government auction in 2012. The map, which dates back to 1963, was a fixture of Gettysburg National Military Park's visitor center until 2008.